Iowa's Comeback Falls Short at Michigan

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May 3, 2013

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Iowa baseball team’s comeback effort fell short Friday at Michigan, falling 5-4 to the Wolverines at the Wilpon Complex.

“We played with really good energy the last four innings and had some opportunities,” said UI head coach Jack Dahm. “We showed some heart today and we battled. We didn’t allow one big inning to snowball like in the past couple weeks.”

Iowa (16-24, 4-12) jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning after loading the bases with one out. Sophomore Taylor Kaufman was credited with his 18th RBI of the season after hitting a fielder’s choice to plate classmate Eric Toole.

Michigan (23-20, 9-7) responded with three runs on three hits in the bottom of first, making the score 3-1. Jacob Cronenworth hit an RBI single to score the first run, while an Iowa throwing error allowed the next two runs to cross the plate.

The Wolverines added a run in the third and fifth innings to extend their advantage to 5-1. Travis Maezes drove in both runs, hitting a solo home run in the third and drawing a bases-loaded walk in the fifth.

The Hawkeyes comeback bid began in the top of the sixth inning, as junior Trevor Kenyon opened the frame with a double down the left field line. Kenyon would later score courtesy of an RBI single by sophomore Anthony Torres, cutting the deficit to 5-2.

Iowa closed the Michigan lead to 5-4 in its half of the seventh inning, scoring two runs on three hits. Sophomore Nick Day (hit-by-pitch) and Toole reached base to lead-off the inning, before advancing to second and third with one out on a wild pitch. Sophomore Jake Yacinich plated Day and Toole with a two-run double down the left field line, registering his team-best 20th and 21st RBIs of the season. Yacinich, who has been bothered by a back injury, made his first start since April 21 at Penn State.

“It was a big boost to have Jake in the line-up,” Dahm said. “He’s our best hitter and drives in runs for us and he came up with a big swing of the bat to score a couple runs tonight. We’re a different ball club when we have Jake close to healthy.”

The Hawkeyes had an opportunity to tie or take the lead in the ninth, as Day (single) and sophomore Kris Goodman (hit-by-pitch) reached base with one out. Michigan reliever Matt Ogden worked out of the jam by inducing a Yacinich ground out and striking out Kenyon. Ogden was credited with a save, his second of the season.

Michigan starting pitcher Trent Szkutnik picked up the win, allowing one run on five hits in 5 2/3 innings to improve to 4-6 this year.

Senior Matt Dermody suffered the loss for Iowa despite throwing seven solid innings. The Norwalk, Iowa, native allowed five runs (three earned) on nine hits, falling to 6-2 on the season. Senior Ricky Sandquist also threw for the Hawkeyes, allowing no runs and striking out two batters in one inning of work.

Iowa finished the contest with nine hits, led by a 3-for-3 performance by Toole. The effort was Toole’s team-best 13th multi-hit game this season, and his fifth multi-hit output in the last seven games.

The Hawkeyes and Wolverines return to the Wilpon Complex tomorrow for the second game of a three-game series, beginning at 3:05 p.m. (CT).